Johan Cruijff -- Johan Cruyff- True Legend
1. Johan Cruijff – early years
Johan Cruijff (full name Hendrik Johannes Cruijff) was born on April 25th in Amsterdam East. He lived with his father Manus and mother Nel. They owned a greengrocers close to the old De Meer stadium. Johan´s nickname was Jopie. He was a skinny boy, but the kids he played street football with were unable to stop him. He possessed unbelievable technique at a young age, a magician on the ball. Developing his attributes to an incredibly high level with hours of practice. Perhaps the difference between Johan and the stars of today is that Cruijff was also Ajax through and through. Enjoying access to the stadium as a boy thanks to his mother who worked as a cook in the stadium canteen.
Formative years
After his formative years, Cruijff leaves comprehensive school as a youngster and starts working in a sportshop and later in a textile store. Tragically his father died of a heart attack when he was just 45 years old and Johan takes it upon himself to support his mother.
A 10-year old Johan receives a letter from Ajax inviting him to become a football player. In fact, he was already training there for 4 years. Johan has pace to burn and speed of thought that is unparalleled. His amazing skills even see older players trying to imitate his repertoire of tricks. He is a born leader, with confidence to match, and he informs his teammates, some of which are significantly older, how to play the game his way. Johan Cruijff signed his first youth contract at only 16 years of age. Total football is born.
2. Johan Cruijff as a football player for Ajax Amsterdam
Dutch league (Eredivisie)
Johan makes his official debut in the Dutch league on November 15th 1964. He nets one goal in the away match against GVAV in Groningen, but is unable to prevent Ajax losing the game 1-3. In 1965 Johan Cruijff signs his first full-time professional contract after typically tough negotiations.
Rinus Michels is appointed Ajax trainer in January 1965 and becomes a major influence on Cruijff´s career. Cruijff’s first period playing for Ajax (a timespan of 9 years) sees Ajax crowned champions of the Netherlands 6 times and scooping second place twice. They also win the Dutch Super Cup four times.
In 1970-1971, Cruijff scores an incredible six goals in one match against Sparta. Only Dutch striker Marco van Basten equals this record many years later.
In November 1971, Cruijff unbelievably scores after only nine seconds against Dutch side Telstar. This remains his fastest goal ever.
In 1972 Cruijff writes history: Ajax win the biggest competition victory ever, a 12-1 thumping of Vitesse. Cruijff scores 4 times in this whitewash of a match.
Cruyff plays his last Ajax match on 19th August 1973. It is a memorable occasion as Johan scores as they defeat FC Amsterdam 6-1. He leaves the pitch to a rapturous and emotional reception.
European Cup
Cruyff plays his first European Cup match at the tender age of 19 years old. He leads Ajax to a 2-0 victory over Turkish club Besikitas. Later that year (1966) in the old Olympic Stadium, history is made again as Ajax defeat Liverpool 5 – 1, Liverpool ´s biggest defeat in a European competition. The game was played in thick fog, with spectators barely able to see the other side of the pitch.
In February 1969, Ajax defeat Benfica 3-1 in the second leg in Portugal with two Cruyff goals saving the Amsterdam club following defeat in Amsterdam. Back then, Benfica were one of the top sides in Europe. In the replay in Paris, Ajax wins with a Cruyff goal in extra time and reach the final of the European Cup . The final is against AC Milan in Madrid, where Ajax eventually lose 4-1.
In 1971 Ajax write history again. Inspired by Cruyff, Ajax scoop the European Cup for the first time, with the final in London’s Wembley stadium as Ajax defeat Panathinaikos : 2-0.
The following year, 1972, Ajax take home the European Cup once more. This time, Ajax beat Inter Milan 2-0 with both goals coming from Cruyff.
World Club Cup
Later that year, Ajax also wins the World Club Cup over Argentine champions Independiente.
Johan Cruyff is named Ajax captain. Typically, Johan remains unfazed by the fact that not all his team mates concur.
1973 sees another classic Johan-inspired match: Ajax-Juventus. For the third time in a row, Ajax win the European Cup, beating the Italians 1-0 thanks to a goal from right winger Johnny Rep in Belgrade.
3. Johan Cruijff in the Dutch National Team (Oranje)
With Cruyff as the captain of the Dutch national team, they make it to the final of the World Cup in 1974 in Germany. Cruyff scores against Germany, but ultimately Oranje lose the final 2-1.
The tournament however ends on a high note for Amsterdam’s most famous football son. Voted to be best soccer player of the tournament and subsequently also best European football player. His status as a true legend is now irrevocable.
He brings down the curtain on his Oranje career early in 1977, citing an unwillingness to be away from his family (wife Danny and three young children) for six weeks during the World Cup in 1978 in Argentina.
In total, Cruyff plays 48 matches for the Dutch national team and is good for 33 goals.
4. Johan Cruijff as Barcelona player
22nd August 1973: Cruyff signs a contract with FC Barcelona for 6 million Dutch guilders (about 2.7 million euros) which is a new international money transfer record. In Barcelona he was given the nickname El Salvador or El Flaco.
28th October: Cruyff makes his debut for Barcelona against Granada. They win 4-0. Cruyff scores two goals. Cruyff is one time champion of Spain, three times second place and one time third place at Barcelona.
Cruyff´s last European Cup match for Barcelona is in 1978, an announcement that is felt throughout the football world.
5. Johan Cruijff in America
Cruijff decides to return to playing soccer again due to financial reasons in 1979. He signs for Los Angeles Aztecs in the US and is voted most valuable player that year.
Cruyff makes the switch to Washington Diplomats in 1980/1981, four matches for DS’79 in Holland in between, then approximately four months at Levante in Spain.
6. Johan Cruijff starts playing again in the Netherlands
Cruijff returns to Ajax on 6th December 1981. Incredibly, they remain unbeaten and become Dutch champions in 1981/1982 and 1982/1983.
The next year Cruyff leaves Ajax for fierce rivals Feyenoord from Rotterdam. He wanted to make a statement to Ton Harmsen (former Ajax chairman) after the club failed to reach contractual agreements with the player for an additional year of his services.
Inspired by Cruijff, Feyenoord become champions in 1983/1984. Cruyff’s heaviest defeat comes in a Feyenoord shirt, as Ajax destroy the Rotterdammers 8-2.
May 13th 1984: Johan Cruyff ends his career (again) as a football player.
7. Johan Cruijff as Ajax trainer
After his Rotterdam adventure, Johan returns to Ajax in 1985 as a trainer but without the mandatory KNVB (Dutch Football Association) official trainer´s certificate. He is granted special dispensation to manage without a certificate.
Johan leads Ajax to glory in the UEFA Cup over Lokomotive Leipzig in 1987 (1-0), becoming the first Dutch club to do so. He leaves Ajax in early 1988 due to differences between others players (e.g. Frank Rijkaard).
rank Rijkaard).
8. Johan Cruijff as Barcelona trainer
In June 1988 he leaves Ajax for FC Barcelona to become trainer, together with Tonnie Bruins Slot. Barcelona immediately win the UEFA Cup.
Barcelona are champions of Spain in 90/91, 91/92, 92/93 and 93/94, four times in a row.
In 1991 Johan suffers heart problems, undergoes bypass surgery and quits smoking under doctors orders!
20th May 1992: with Johan at the helm, FC Barcelona are crowned champions of the European Cup for the first time in their history.
Barcelona play the Champions League final in 1994, losing heavily to AC Milan.
A barren season at FC Barcelona in 1995 sees Johan fired a year later. However, the revered Dutchman goes down in history as the trainer to manage Barcelona the longest in the post-war period (2936 days).
9. Johan Cruijff After Football
The Cruyff Foundation was founded in 1997. In typical charitable fashion, Cruyff´s wish was for children of all abilities to enjoy a safe place where they can learn how to play football and also understand core values such as respect, teamwork, creativity and more.
In 1999, the lifetime achievement awards start to come in: the International Federation of Football History and Statistics crowns Cruyff as Best European Football Player of the 20th Century, and second best soccer player in the world (after Pelé).
The Cruyff Institute is founded the same year. This was set up to provide the necessary education for athletes, sport and business professionals to become leaders in Sports Management.
2009: Cruyff Court number 100 is created.
2015 October: Cruyff is diagnosed with lung cancer
2016 March 24th: Cruyff passes away in Barcelona. He was 68 years old.
2018 April 25th (Johan’s birth date): Ajax stadium Amsterdam Arena is finally renamed Johan Cruijff Arena two years after his death (better late than never, well done shareholders!), a fitting tribute to a true legend.
Johan Cruyff has three children : Chantal Cruijff (1970), Susila Cruijff (1972) and Jordi Cruijff (1974).
Holland’s best ever
Holland’s best ever football player is famous all over the world. Not only revered as one of the best football players of all-time (mentioned in the same breath as Pelé and Maradona), but held in high esteem thanks his charitable work with his Foundation and Institute. Today, there are Cruyff courts all over the world.
Come and explore the real Johan Cruijff roots during your visit to Amsterdam. Join us on our special Johan Cruijff Tour where we bike with you to show the key locations from his formative years, all the way up to the site of his most famous victories at his beloved Ajax and Oranje.
Important links:
His Foundation helps children move up by being active
The official heir and worldwide guardian of his football legacy.
I knew nothing about football before knowing Cruyff
Pep Guardiola
